BELLEVILLE NATIONALS CHAMPIONSHIP NIGHT KICKS OFF ROUND 2 OF BYRD'S INDY CHALLENGE

Saturday night’s “Championship Night” at the “Belleville Midget Nationals” serves as host for the second round of Jonathan Byrd’s “Indy Challenge.”

It’s the second of seven USAC National and Western Midget races to determine if any driver can earn one of the incentives posted by Indianapolis brothers David and Jonathan Byrd, who have constructed a unique format for their challenge.

“We recognize the talent it takes to compete at the highest levels in motorsports and know that succeeding and winning in the USAC National Midget ranks, especially on these larger tracks, can translate to success at Indy,” Byrd added.

“We look forward to continuing our commitment to giving an opportunity to the best of the best in Midget racing, given our family's championship history,” Byrd added. “We want to thank USAC for allowing us to play a part in bringing a renewed focus to the incredible racing that is featured by the USAC National Midget Championship.”

Rico Abreu won the “Byrd’s Challenge” opener in June during the “Indiana Midget Week” finale at Kokomo Speedway.  Six races remain in the seven-race series including tonight’s event at Belleville before subsequent races on August 17 during “Pennsylvania Midget Week” at Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, PA.; the “Louie Vermeil Classic” Western States Midget race at Calistoga (Calif.) Speedway September 4; the “4-Crown Nationals” at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio September 24; the “Gold Grown Midget Nationals” finale at Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Ill October 8; and the “Turkey Night Grand Prix” at Ventura (Calif.) Raceway November 24.

Since Abreu is not competing at Belleville, a sweep of the seven-race series will not be attained, which, had he won all of the events, would have propelled him to a drive for all the ovals on the 2017 Indy Lights schedule as well as a ride in the 2018 Indianapolis 500.

However, another driver can still achieve one of two other posted prizes.  Five victories would earn a driver a seat in the 2017 Freedom 100 Indy Lights race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Six victories would secure a seat for the full roster of oval races on the 2017 Indy Lights schedule.

USAC President Kevin Miller offers: “This is a tremendous opportunity for our participants. “The Byrd family has long been a supporter of America’s grassroots motorsports and this challenge will mark a new avenue for our drivers who aspire to compete at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.”